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From Samuel R. Ayres to Lyman Langdon
[page 1]
Moneka Linn Co. Kansas
Aug[.] 24th/63
Friend Langdon
Dear Sir
Your friendly Epistle was duly recieved and its contence read with great pleasure[.] It does me good to read the correspondance of those whos views in relation to our national afairs appear to be founded on correct principles and on the result of much carrful investigation. being situated as you are with almost every facility of correct information you are well prepared to form a propper estimate of the events and acts which are transpiring around us at the present time. The events of last month to our nation are repleat with intrest and ought to beget greater and unfained thankfulness in our hearts to God for his intoposition in our behalf. Never, or but seldom has it fallen to the lot of a nation to record as many great and important Victories in the space of one month as has been the priviledge of ours during the past.
The surrender of Vicksburg of its self was sufficient to produce a universal thrill of pleasure in the hearts of every loyal citizen, but when we [text stricken through] ad the repulse of Price[,] Marmaduke & Holmes at Helena[,] Lee's defeat at [text stricken through] Gettysburg, the surrender of Port Hudson, the retreat of Braggs army in connection with Morgans capture and several other [text stricken through] smaler advantages secured by our armies makes a page in our history that must and will command the gratitude of every true American citizen. But though such as been the brilent [brilliant] history of the past month yet there has been some transpiring events which are of a reverse charictor. In consequence of Lee's advance on Pensylvania many of her citizens have suffered heavy losses, yet the event in fact has resulted greatly to our national benefit. And such may be the case as regards other movements of a similar charictor. What is to be the future of Kansas is more than I

This letter was written on August 24 and 27, 1863 by Samuel R. Ayres in Moneka, Kansas, to Lyman Langdon. Ayres writes that “along our Missouri border we are subject to almost constant raids from the Bushwhackers over the line who rob our citizens burn their houses and murder prominent men.” Ayres offers a description of Quantrill’s recent raid on Lawrence, Kansas, calling it “an act of barbarity but seldom if ever equaled by the most savage tribes.” Ayres says that he and other local citizens are organizing to defend Mound City, Kansas from guerrilla attacks.

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From Samuel R. Ayres to Lyman Langdon
[page 1]
Moneka Linn Co. Kansas
Aug[.] 24th/63
Friend Langdon
Dear Sir
Your friendly Epistle was duly recieved and its contence read with great pleasure[.] It does me good to read the correspondance of those whos views in relation to our national afairs appear to be founded on correct principles and on the result of much carrful investigation. being situated as you are with almost every facility of correct information you are well prepared to form a propper estimate of the events and acts which are transpiring around us at the present time. The events of last month to our nation are repleat with intrest and ought to beget greater and unfained thankfulness in our hearts to God for his intoposition in our behalf. Never, or but seldom has it fallen to the lot of a nation to record as many great and important Victories in the space of one month as has been the priviledge of ours during the past.
The surrender of Vicksburg of its self was sufficient to produce a universal thrill of pleasure in the hearts of every loyal citizen, but when we [text stricken through] ad the repulse of Price[,] Marmaduke & Holmes at Helena[,] Lee's defeat at [text stricken through] Gettysburg, the surrender of Port Hudson, the retreat of Braggs army in connection with Morgans capture and several other [text stricken through] smaler advantages secured by our armies makes a page in our history that must and will command the gratitude of every true American citizen. But though such as been the brilent [brilliant] history of the past month yet there has been some transpiring events which are of a reverse charictor. In consequence of Lee's advance on Pensylvania many of her citizens have suffered heavy losses, yet the event in fact has resulted greatly to our national benefit. And such may be the case as regards other movements of a similar charictor. What is to be the future of Kansas is more than I